Background: Hypertension and dyslipidemia have a multifactorial background based on genetic and environmental interactive factors. Increasing blood pressure (BP) and hypertension incidence have also been found to be linked with elevated blood lipids rates. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) are said to be linked to pathogenesis of both hypertension and dyslipidemia.Objectives: to investigate the presence of the three genotypes of ACE gene (I/D) polymorphisms with hypertension and dyslipidemia.Subjects and methods: Participants included 30 Egyptian patients with hypertension and /or dyslipidaemia (Group I) and 20 apparently healthy controls (Group II). For all participants, DNA was isolated and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the product was recognized by gel electrophoresis according to their size.Results: diferent ACE genotypes frequencies were detected according to the presence or absence of 287 bp fragment in intron 16; 30% for Deletion/Deletion (DD), 56.7% for Insertion/Deletion (ID) and 13.3% for Insertion/Insertion (II) in patients group, denoting that (I) allele has a significant association with hypertension and dyslipidemia (p< 0.05). Conclusions:There is increased frequency of ACE I/D and I/I, therefore, the I allele was common among Egyptian patients affected with hypertension and /or dyslipidaemia.

No abstract

Background: The human body is composed of two types of elements, abundant and trace elements. Abundant elements include the major elements that are important constituents of tissues e.g. oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Trace elements are micronutrients which are important for the human body, but they are only present in traceable quantities. They are classified into essential, and non-essential elements. Essential trace elements include iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, fluoride, iodide, manganese, molybdenum & selenium. Probably essential trace elements include Nickel, tin, vanadium, silicon, Boron. Non-essential trace elements include aluminum, lead, silver, mercury, rubidium, strontium, titanium, and zirconium. Although trace elements account for only 0.02% of the total body weight, yet they have many functions in the biological process. Some of them like iron, zinc, chromium, copper and iodine act as antioxidants and cofactors for many enzymes affecting the metabolism and insulin action and have great effect on insulin and leptin receptors. Nevertheless, the biochemical functions are well-defined. If the level of these micronutrients decreased or increased, widespread issues in human health occur. Aim: Some of the trace elements and their role in the pathology and development of obesity and diabetes mellitus are the subject of this article. Conclusion: This review concludes that deficiency or excess of some trace elements may contribute directly or indirectly to pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and obesity. Further investigations are needed to complete gaps in our knowledge on trace elements.